Every entrepreneur knows that to build a successful business it's all about relationships. Relationships can make or break your business. It's not just about communicating with new customers and prospects but nurturing the ones you currently have. You want them to be so happy that they keep coming back and they tell their friends and family how much they loved the experience they had with your business.
Vendors are one of those relationships that you should treat as “honorary” members of your business (I rather call them friends). They may not necessarily work for you directly but indirectly they service you and your company regularly. Without them you would not be able to offer your product at a competitive price or keep your business running smoothly.
One of the best ways to create a positive relationship is to acknowledge them when they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make you happy. One of our long standing relationships has been with Artbeads.com. They are a leading suppliers of beads, Swarovski crystal, and jewelry-making supplies. Their products are of the highest quality and they have one of the best on-line shopping experiences around.
For us it's been a wonderful relationship because they care about us and know we're a small business on a budget. Artbeads.com lets us keep our inventory low by letting us buy what we need when we need it and shipping is free. Plus with every order we get their business card with a coupon on the back for potential discounts off our next order (great marketing tool I must add). Talk about taking care of your relationships...it's those types of financial gestures that make a big impact for our bottom line.
Just look at our recent design made with Silver components from Artbeads.com for our new 2010 Design It Your Way Hearts to Hearts Valentine Collection
. I just love this beautiful 21mm detailed sterling silver “Love Flowered Pendant” from Israel. A tiny sterling silver heart charm and a freshwater pearl was added onto a 30” opera length Rollo chain to compliment the pendant. A match made in heaven with the coordinating bracelet and earrings (All hand crafted from high quality Artbeads.com components).So bottom line it's those relationships that make all the difference. Take care of them and strive to make sure they get as much value out of their relationship with you as you do with them and always look for ways to show your key players that you appreciate them. It's can be very rewarding. - CT
Disclosure: This blog is a personal blog written and edited by the owners of CT Jewelry Designs, Inc. We are not compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and/or various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are honest and purely those of CT Jewelry Design, Inc. For questions about this blog, please contact carolyn@ctjewelrydesign.com. The following items were received as free samples and free of charge from the Arteads.com Blogging Program: SS-PEND048, Sterling Silver Love Flowered Pendant; CHARM403, Sterling Silver Tiny Heart Charm; 925CH7, 070 Rollo Chain; SS-EAR18, Ball End Earwire .8mm; EWC20 Clear "Rubber" Earwire Clutch
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